A Heartwarming Christmas Romance Set During the Great Depression

It’s 1931, and times are tough for the Miller family, who are raising eight children in the midst of the Great Depression. When Eli Miller passes away unexpectedly, and then a fire destroys their barn, Annie has no idea how she’ll make ends meet. The Amish community rallies around her and the children, as is their custom, but as days turn into weeks and then into months, Annie’s friends and neighbors return to their own routines and seem to expect Annie to do the same. Annie knows she needs to stay strong for the children and figure out a way to keep everyone warm and clothed and fed, but she is heartbroken and exhausted. She reminds herself that God will provide, but every day feels like an uphill battle.

When Annie receives a letter from a widower with six children of his own, she tries to put it out of her mind. Her critical mother reminds her that it's too soon to start a new friendship with a man, and warns her that blending a family will be complicated. In the weeks and months to follow, Annie must learn to make her own decisions—and accept the consequences, good and bad—face her past, and embark on a new journey that will transform her and her large, complicated family. When life seems especially complicated one summer, she finds herself saying that by Christmas everything will start to come together, but she has no idea the challenges—and ultimately blessings—headed her way.

My Rating: 2/5

I found The More the Merrier a bit confusing and very different from other novels that I have read within the same genre. The story itself seemed very matter of fact, as though it was recounting events from a diary or journal that didn't give any real explanation or context.

I found it confusing when Annie kept going back to the fact that Dan was considered progressive, and think it would have helped if the author had given a brief explanation as to why Annie thought that - not everyone is familiar with the Amish way of life, given the religion is unique to American culture.

I also found myself forgetting that the story was meant to be based within the post-war depression of the late 1920s and 1930s. It could very easily have been a contemporary story aside from the brief mentions of whatever year it was.

And why was Annie's daughter so sullen? I know she had lost her father, but it irked me that Annie kept putting off talking to her daughter about whatever was happening with her.

As an Australian reading Amish fiction, I think I will stick to authors such as Wanda Brunstetter or Beverly Lewis, whose stories are more descriptive and explain a little more of the Amish culture.

This book might be suited to someone who is more familiar with the Amish.

About the Author

Linda Byler grew up Amish and is an active member of the Amish church today. She is the author of five bestselling fiction series, all set in the Amish world: Hester Takes Charge, Lancaster Burning, Sadie’s Montana, Lizzie Searches for Love, and The Dakota Series. In addition, Byler has written five Christmas romances: The Little Amish Matchmaker, The Christmas Visitor, Mary’s Christmas Good-Bye, Becky Meets Her Match, A Dog for Christmas, and A Horse for Elsie. Linda is also well known within the Amish community as a columnist for a weekly Amish newspaper.

Publication Date: 1 Oct 2019
Publisher: Skyhorse Publishing
Format: Hardcover
RRP: $14.99 USD

I received an ebook from the publishers via NetGalley for the purposes of a review, this review is my own personal view and is not required to be positive.